Language, learning, and development: perspectives on language acquisition and brain function

• Main Authors: Mirela Ramacciotti, Christine Eccles
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Estadual Paulista 2019-04-01
• Series: Revista EntreLínguas
• Subjects: Language; Neural circuitry; Development; Genetics; Thought.
• Online Access: https://periodicos.fclar.unesp.br/entrelinguas/article/view/12789

What makes us human? Language takes the lead in this dispute that has not been settled by science. What is known is that only humans have developed an apparatus fit for the production of sounds in all the known languages coupled with a brain circuitry that enables communication to become not only transactional, but also a matter of collaboration and cocreation. What is proposed in this review is to examine the relationship between language, thought, and learning; the hypothesis of linguistic determinism and relativism and its implication for learning and development; current ideas on the evolution of human language; connections between linguistic development and genetic inheritance of language capacity; the difference between first and second language acquisition; and  how correct identification of dyslexia and aphasia can inform current understanding of the process of language acquisition and development.